Theresa May has been accused by Tory backbenchers of “bouncing Parliament”
into opting back into more than 30 European crime and justice programmes.

Furious MPs accused the Home Secretary of disrespecting Parliament by rushing through a new deal with the European Union.

Mrs May announced that the Government will not be “opting out” of the controversial European arrest warrant scheme - which allows foreign police forces to summon Britons and for detectives in this country to extradite suspects from the continent.

Britain will also remain a member of Europol, the EU’s law enforcement agency, and Eurojust, the EU’s judicial co-operation unit.

However, a new “proportionality test” will be introduced which is intended to stop Britons accused of low-level offences from being sent abroad and potentially held in custody while they await trial.

Mrs May said the UK will opt out of all 133 measures before rejoining 35, complying with the terms of the Lisbon Treaty.

To shouts of "shame" from Tory benches, Mrs May said Britain will rejoin the controversial European Arrest Warrant system but British law will be amended to "rectify problems and increase protections" for people wanted for extradition.

In a statement to the Commons, Mrs May said: "For reasons of policy, principle and pragmatism, I believe that it is in the national interest to exercise the United Kingdom's opt-out and rejoin a much smaller set of measures which help us to cooperate with our European neighbours in the fight against serious and organised crime.

"I also believe that Her Majesty's Government must strike the right balance between supporting law enforcement and protecting our traditional liberties. What I have outlined today will achieve both of those goals."

Peter Bone, the Tory MP for Wellingborough, said: “It appears that the executive is bouncing Parliament.”

And Keith Vaz, the chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, accused Mrs May of showing “disrespect” to Parliament.

He said Mrs May’s “halo has slipped a little today” and complained that MPs were not allowed more time to scrutinise opt-outs

MPs will be given a vote on the new EU deal next week – which is expected to be opposed by dozens of Conservatives who have demanded that Britain opt-out of all pan-European crime and justice measures.

Under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty, Britain has the option of leaving a series of pan-European home affairs measures and must make a decision on whether to opt out by next year.

The decision is to be subject to a quick Parliamentary vote next week – with dozens of Conservative MPs set to vote against the Government. Some Conservatives believe the decision shows that the Prime Minister is “not serious” about fundamentally seeking to renegotiate Britain’s relationship with the EU.

However, Downing Street privately believes that the prospect of a junior ministerial reshuffle next week may help persuade some MPs, hopeful of being promoted, not to rebel.